Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Ultimate Free-Agency to-Do List By Jason Kanno Feb 27, 2015 
Brian Kersey/Getty Images Though the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a long list free-agency tasks, they should have just one benchmark for success: to do better than last year.Last season, the Bucs added more than $130 million in free-agent contracts. The majority of the money was invested in five players: defensive end Michael Johnson, offensive tackle Anthony Collins, cornerback Alterraun Verner, center Evan Dietrich-Smith and defensive tackle Clinton McDonald.The only player of that group to perform consistently was McDonald, though Verner performed admirably despite his injury problems.The Bucs can't afford to once again invest large sums in dead weight like Collins and Johnson. That won't be easily avoided, especially considering the crop of free agents this year.The first thing the Bucs need to do in preparation for free agency is cut their overpaid players, starting with safety Dashon Goldson and Collins.Neither Goldson nor Collins lived up to his contract since coming to Tampa Bay. Cutting them would save the Bucs $10 million in 2015 cap space, per Over The Cap, more than enough to sign replacements or address other problems on the roster.Second on the Bucs' list of free-agent priorities is to do what they failed at doing last year: sign a cornerstone offensive lineman.
This year's crop of linemen isn't as strong at the tackle position but is far better at guard. The Bucs need both, which is where Denver guard/tackle Orlando Franklin enters the equation. Franklin, traditionally a right tackle, played left guard this season. At both positions, he is a solid pass-protector and run-blocker.Versatility and above-average skills make Franklin an expensive free agent, but the Bucs shouldn't be looking to sign many more high-priced players. Last year should have taught them that.Next, the Bucs need to focus on bargain buys, players who won't garner much of a payday on the market but could make significant impacts in Tampa Bay.Defensive tackle Clinton McDonald is a prime example. Signed for a paltry four-year, $12 million contract, McDonald had the best season of all of the Bucs' free-agent signings.
The Bucs should go right back to defensive tackles this year. The Cowboys passed on Henry Melton's three-year option last week, making him a free agent. Now looking at his third team in as many years, the former Chicago Bear needs to get his career back on track, and the best place for that might be with the head coach who helped launch it in the first place.Melton could be a perfect sub for Gerald McCoy, who played an absurd 1,673 snaps in the past two years. Signing Melton would protect the Bucs' $98 million investment in McCoy.Similarly, the Bucs need to find an inexpensive fix for their defensive end problems. It is unlikely they will cut DE Michael Johnson, as it would only save Tampa Bay $2 million off his $9 million cap number in 2015, according to Over The Cap.
With so much money invested in a four-sack pass-rusher, the Bucs need to be frugal and creative. The Cleveland Browns' Jabaal Sheard and the Dallas Cowboys' George Selvie could be their best options.Sheard has talent but not the production to match due in large part to the Browns' constant coaching and alignment changes. Selvie isn't a great pass-rusher but in rotation could prove useful and inexpensive. With Jacquies Smith still getting the hang of things, the Bucs could offer Selvie a starting gig with Smith rotating in as a third-down rusher.Strong rotations and depth set good teams apart from the mediocre ones. The Bucs struggled with depth, particularly at cornerback.The Bucs signed Mike Jenkins last year to compete for a starting job, but he played in only one game. Losing him short-staffed the Bucs at cornerback for the rest of the season. They can't afford to let this continue next season.
Veteran cornerbacks are plentiful in this year's free-agent market. The Bucs have another opportunity to sign the Bears' Charles Tillman. Will Blackmon, who was released by the Jaguars this week per NFL.com's Marc Sessler, might still have some decent play left in him.The Bucs can't afford another wasted year in free agency. By fulfilling these items, the Bucs can show they are capable of progress and maybe improve in the standings next season.link
